Donald Trump has said he would like China's help to deal with Russia as he seeks to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. I'd like China to help us out with Russia, the US president said on board Air Force One, as he flew to Asia for a whirlwind tour, where he will meet China's Xi Jinping in South Korea. It could be wishful thinking, however. China is Russia's biggest ally, and a vital support to Moscow since Western sanctions were imposed over its war in Ukraine.
Trump's comments come off the back of a difficult week for Kyiv - the US refused to give it Tomahawk cruise missiles, EU leaders did not release frozen Russian cash to help fund its defence, and there have been more deadly strikes. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war has become a focal point for Trump in recent months, with a ceasefire deal so far eluding him, despite his campaign promises to solve the situation quickly. A summit with Putin in August failed to yield any tangible results, and Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Moscow.
Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they don't go anywhere, Trump said earlier this week. On Wednesday, he announced new sanctions against Russia's two biggest oil companies - the first direct interventions the Trump administration has imposed on Russia over the war. Trump's meeting with Xi on Thursday is still expected to focus on the hostile trade relations between the US and China, but Trump emphasized that he would talk to Xi about everything, including Ukraine.
I'd like to see China help us out [with Russia]. I have a very good relationship... with President Xi. Very good, he said, adding that Xi wants to see the war end. Earlier this week, Trump stated that the Chinese president can have a big influence on Putin. While Trump wishes for collaboration, Beijing has largely remained supportive of Russia, purchasing its oil and sharing military materials, raising questions on whether they will engage in efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine.
As Trump made his comments on Air Force One, emergency crews in Ukraine were responding to new Russian strikes, including in Kyiv where several people were killed, prompting calls for international support from President Zelensky. Meanwhile, the situation remains dire for many as the war continues, with citizens displaced and under threat from ongoing military actions.
Trump's comments come off the back of a difficult week for Kyiv - the US refused to give it Tomahawk cruise missiles, EU leaders did not release frozen Russian cash to help fund its defence, and there have been more deadly strikes. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war has become a focal point for Trump in recent months, with a ceasefire deal so far eluding him, despite his campaign promises to solve the situation quickly. A summit with Putin in August failed to yield any tangible results, and Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Moscow.
Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they don't go anywhere, Trump said earlier this week. On Wednesday, he announced new sanctions against Russia's two biggest oil companies - the first direct interventions the Trump administration has imposed on Russia over the war. Trump's meeting with Xi on Thursday is still expected to focus on the hostile trade relations between the US and China, but Trump emphasized that he would talk to Xi about everything, including Ukraine.
I'd like to see China help us out [with Russia]. I have a very good relationship... with President Xi. Very good, he said, adding that Xi wants to see the war end. Earlier this week, Trump stated that the Chinese president can have a big influence on Putin. While Trump wishes for collaboration, Beijing has largely remained supportive of Russia, purchasing its oil and sharing military materials, raising questions on whether they will engage in efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine.
As Trump made his comments on Air Force One, emergency crews in Ukraine were responding to new Russian strikes, including in Kyiv where several people were killed, prompting calls for international support from President Zelensky. Meanwhile, the situation remains dire for many as the war continues, with citizens displaced and under threat from ongoing military actions.
